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PRESS RELEASE 05/14/2008

HAMILTON COUNTY PROSECUTOR JOSEPH DETERS AND STATE AUDITOR MARY TAYLOR ANNOUNCE THE INDICTMENT OF WILLARD WILSON AND ANDREA PETERSON

Today, Hamilton County Prosecutor Joseph Deters and State Auditor Mary Taylor announced the indictment of Willard Wilson and Andrea Peterson for one count of Theft by Deception (F4) and two counts of Forgery (F5). Evidence obtained in an ongoing investigation by the state auditor's office revealed that in 2003 Willard and Peterson participated in a scheme to defraud the WEB DuBois Academy charter school of $15,000.00. The defendants are alleged to have falsified invoices to reimburse Peterson for clerical work never performed.

State Auditor Mary Taylor commented, "Misusing tax dollars at the expense of educating our children is unacceptable. I commend the Hamilton County Prosecutor's office for their diligence in pursuing these indictments. The professional team of investigators at my office will continue to work with local officials to root out fraud, waste and abuse in government."

Prosecutor Deters added, "We appreciate the hard work of the state auditor's office on this case and their continuing efforts to safeguard taxpayer dollars."

If convicted of these charges, Wilson and Peterson face the penalty of 42 months in jail